Vehicle-frame.



; im. 7|4,ss. "Patented uecjz, |902.

H. LEMP. 1

vEmcLE FRAME. (Ayplxct on ld May 1B 1899) Uh Model.)

Patented Dec. 2, i902.

i H. LEM?. VEHIGLE` FRAME. (Application med my '18, 1899 .L

Nrrn ,STATES EArnivr einen.

HERMANN LEMP, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO ELIHU THOMSON, OFSWAMPSOOTT, MASSACHUSETTS.

vEHlcLE-FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 714,808, datedDecember 2, 19'02.

` Application filed May 18,1899. Serial No. 717,265. (No model.)

` To all whom t may concern.-

l ments in Vehicle-Frames, (Oase No. 1,017,)

. preferable construction, as it adds stability of which the followingis a specification.

The present invention relates to the construction of frames forvehicles, and more particularly to that class which are self-propelled.Vehicles of this class require a much stronger frame than do ordinaryvehicles; and my invention has for its object to provide a vehicle-framewhich shall be simple in construction, strong, and cheap to build.

The accompanying drawings show an embodiment of my invention, in which-Figurel is a plan view of the frame of a vehicle. Fig. 2`is a sideelevation with the wheels next to the observer removed. Fig. 3 is aperspective view showing the support for the battery. Fig. 4L is adetail View of the differential gearing, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectionof one of the battery-rollers.

Extending longitudinally and in the same horizontal plane are two tubesor bars A and B. These are connected by two pairs of transverse memberslocated at or near the ends thereof, the tubes O and O' uniting to formone pair and the tubes D and D uniting to form the second pair. Thevehicle being designed to carry a battery, the transverse tubes O and Dhave been so placed that they are directly over the ends of thebattery-frame. This I have found to be a to the frame by bracing itthrough the central portion near where the weight of the battery islocated; but, if desired, the tubes forming the pairs of transversemembers can be moved much nearer together, the exact locationof thetubes being immaterial, as the eiect is the same.

Secured to the tube D at or near its ends and outside of thelongitudinal frame-bars A B are two brackets E and E. These brackets aredesigned to receive and clamp the upper part of the frame -supportingelliptic springs. Thebrackets E and E may, if desired, be designed likethe brackets I and I to receive the ends of the trussed reaches N andthe springs J, which are mounted therein, are tied together at one endby a rod L2 to add rigidity to the structure.

The frame is braced longitudinally by two or more trussed reaches N andN'. The reach N extends between bracket I on one transverse member and aholder or union E2 on a second transverse member. The reach N extendsbetween the bracket l on the transverse member O and a holder or unionE3 on the transverse member D. Projecting down- Vwardly from the frameare four posts O.

These posts are united by a rectangular frame which supports thebattery, the two posts on each side of the frame being united by tubes Qand the posts on opposite sides by bars P. The reaches N and N' areshown as passing through holes in the transverse battery-frame bars P(best shown in Fig. 3;) but any other form of support may be employed ifdesired.

`Owing to the reaches extending under the vehicle somewhat diagonally,the openings in the bars P for receiving them are not exactly in line,those in one bar being practically in line with the posts O and in theother bar slightly removed therefrom. `This arrangement of partsconstitutes a pair of trussed reaches, the tube A, reach N, and posts` Oforming one and the tube B, reach N, and posts O forming the other.

In order to increase the strength and rigidity of the frame and at thesame time allow a certain freedom of movements of the parts, pivotedtie-rods R are employed between the lower portion of the battery-frameand axle K at onev end and pivoted tie-rods R between the opposite endof the battery-frame and the axle G on the other end." Extendingdownward from the spring-holding brackets are supports R2, and the rodsR and R are IOG mounted therein in ysuch manner that they are capable ofa limited amount of rotary movement in a horizontal plane. The rods Rand R are pivotally secured to the frame by joints r in such manner asto permit of movement of the parts in a vertical plane, and in additionto this are provided with pivoted joints r', also arranged to permitmovement in a vertical plane. The parts as arranged constitute universalmovement connections between the axles and the main and battery frames.

With the parts arranged as described one pair of wheels is supported bythe transverse members D and Dl and the other pair of wheels issupported by the transverse members C and C', the trussed reachesextending to the outside or end members and securely holding the partsof the frame in proper relation.

It will thus be seen that a frame of great rigidity is provided, yet onein which the parts are permitted a considerable freedom of movement.

The sides of the battery-frame are formed by the trussed reaches and theends by the bars P and transverse members C and D. The tubes O and Q andthe bars P are preferably electrically welded to the unions. The tubesmay or may not be welded, as desired; but I have found that theweldedjoints produce most excellent results. The frame is braced throughthe center by the horizontal and parallel bars S and on the sides by thevertical bars T, which are provided with holes at the ends for thereception of the tubes forming the main vehicle-frame. Extending betweenthe bars Pand S and parallel with the side tubes Q are a number of boltsU, and surrounding these bolts are rollers U', over which the battery ismoved, as shown in Fig. 5. The batteries being heavy, these rollersgreatly facilitate the handling of them.

The steering-Wheels are mounted on short axles, which axles are in turnmounted in vertical bearings and form the common doubleaxle suspension.The steering is accomplished by a suitable steering mechanism (notshown) through the rods M, which connect the short axles.

Sleeved on the axle G at one end and supported at the free end by theparallel rods V is an electric motor V' of any desired construction. Therods V are secured to the under side of the transverse frame-tubes D andD', and extending downward therefrom is a link V2, having an extensionV3, carrying an adjusting-boltin its outer end. This arrangement givesvery satisfactory results, the elliptic springs which support thevehicle-body (the latter being shown in dotted lines) furnishing theproper amount of flexibility for the free or outer end of the motor. Themotor-armature is provided with a pinion which meshes with a spur-gearforming a part of a differential gearing, the arrangement of parts beingsuch that when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line both wheelsare driven at the same speed, but when the vehicle is deflectedtherefrom one wheel will travel faster than the other. Surrounding thedifferential gears is a gear-case W, which protects them from dirt andwater.

Referring to Fig. 4, the construction and arrangement of the gearing areshown. The axle G is tubular and is divided into two parts, each partbeing rigidly connected to a wheel and to a bevel-gear X. The parts ofthe axle are held together by a shaft Y, which is provided with nuts Yon the ends to hold the driving-wheels in place. Sleeved on the shaft Yis a herring-bone spur-gear, and carried by the spokes of the gear is apair of bevel-pinions which mesh with the bevelgears X, carried by thetubular shaft. So long as the vehicle is traveling in a straight linethe pinions Z do not rotate on their shafts Z', but do rotate around theshaft Y as a center. As soon, however, as the vehicle is deflected froma straight line-as in going around a corner, for example-one wheeltravels faster than the other, and the gears X take care of thisdierence.

What I claim as new, and desire-to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. In a vehicle, the combination of a pair of axles, a frame, springsbetween the frame and the axle for supporting the frame, a battery-framebelow the main frame, and a mechanical connection other than one of thesprings between the battery-frame and one of the axles, which is capableof universal movement. l

2. In a vehicle, the combination of a pair of axles, a main frame, abattery-frame below the main frame, springs between the batteryframe andthe axle for supporting the frame, and rods capable of universalmovement which connect the axles to the frame.

3. In avehicle, the combination of an axle, a frame, springs forsupporting the frame, a motor sleeved on the axle, arigid rod or tubesecured to the frame and extending outward away from the axle, and arigid connection between therod or tube and the outer or free end of themotor.

roo

4:. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle, i

a spring-supported frame mounted on the axle, a motor sleeved on theaxle and extending outward away from the axle, a tube secured to theunder side of the frame also extending outward and away from the axle,and a link pivotally connected to the tube and the motor for supportingthe free end of the motor. f

5. In an electrically-propelled vehicle, the combination of a main framefor supporting the body of the vehicle, a battery-frame secured to theunder side of the main frame, and rollers carried by the frame overwhich the battery is moved. 6. In a vehicle, the combination of an axle,a frame, springs supporting the frame, a motor sleeved on the axle andnon-elastic means connecting the motor to the spring-supported frame.

7.` In a vehicle, the combination of an axle having an enlargementforming abearing for `the meeting ends of a tubular axle, a dividedtubular axle mounted thereon and conneoted to the drivingwheel, a gearsleeved on the first-mentioned axle, bevel-gears secured tothe adjacentends of the tubular axle, and pinions carried by the gear whichissleeved on the first-mentioned axle, for permitting one of thedriving-Wheels to move at a dierent rate of speed 4from the other.

8. In a vehicle, the combination of a pair of axles, springs forsupporting the frame, a frame for the body, a battery-frame carried bythe rst-mentioned frame and situated below it, and a motor which issupported by one of the axles.

9. In a vehicle, the combination of a pair of axles, wheels therefor, aframe mounted on the axles, and a battery-frame secured to and dependingfrom the main frame and located reach With a battery-frame locatedbetween` the top and bottom members of the reach.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto `set my hand this 10th day of May,1899.

' HERMANN LEMP. Witnesses:

DUGALD MCKILLOP,

HENRY O. WESTENDARP.

